Introduction to the FABLES.

But he who studies nature's laws

From certain truth his maxims draws,
And those, without our schools, fuffice
To make men moral, good and wife.

ΤΟ

WILLIAM, Duke of Cumberland.

W. Kent inv.

P.Fourdrinier sculp.

FABLE I.

The LYON, the TYGER, and the TRAVELLER.

A

CCEPT, young PRINCE, the moral lay,

And in these tales mankind furvey;

With early virtues plant your breast,

The fpecious arts of vice deteft.

Princes, like Beauties, from their youth

Are ftrangers to the voice of truth:

Learn to contemn all praife betimes;
For flattery's the nurfe of crimes;
Friendship by fweet reproof is fhown,
(A virtue never near a throne;)

In courts fuch freedom must offend,
There none prefumes to be a friend,
To thofe of your exalted ftation
Each courtier is a dedication ;

Muft I too flatter like the reft,

And turn my morals to a jeft?

The mufe difdains to steal from those,

Who thrive in courts by fulfome profe.
But fhall I hide your real praife,

Or tell you what a nation fays?
They in your infant bofom trace

The virtues of your Royal race,

In

In the fair dawning of your mind

Difcern you gen❜rous, mild and kind,
They see you grieve to hear diftrefs,
And pant already to redress.

Go on,

the height of good attain,

Nor let a nation hope in vain.

For hence we justly may presage
The virtues of a riper age.
True courage fhall your bosom fire,
And future actions own your Sire.
Cowards are cruel; but the brave

Love mercy, and delight to fave.

prey,

A Tyger, roaming for his Sprung on a Trav'ler in the way; The proftrate game a Lyon fpies,

And on the greedy tyrant flies:

With mingled roar refounds the wood,
Their teeth, their claws diftil with blood,
Till, vanquish'd by the Lyon's ftrength,

The spotted foe extends his length.
The Man befought the fhaggy lord,
And on his knees for life implor'd,
His life the gen'rous hero gave.
Together walking to his cave,

The Lyon thus bespoke his guest.

What hardy beast shall dare contest

My matchless strength? You faw the fight,
And must attest my pow'r and right.
Forc'd to forego their native home
My starving flaves at diftance roam,
Within these woods I reign alone,
The boundless foreft is my own;

Bears, wolves, and all the favage brood

Have dy'd the regal den with blood;

Thefe